Beyond injury, achieving the extraordinary! Inspirational Dakar Rally team earn Royal seal of approval after becoming first disability group to complete gruelling race

Prince William and Kate Middleton congratulated a group of predominantly injured soldiers as they made history by becoming the first disability team to complete the punishing Dakar Rally on Saturday.

Race2Recovery, a team created to raise funds for Forces charities, crossed the finish line in the final stage in Chile in their Land Rover Defender-based Wildcat race vehicle to complete an incredible achievement.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have followed the team’s progress from the start and they sent their personal congratulations to the inspiring team.

Achievement: Matthew O'Hare and Philip Gillespie of team Race2Recovery finished the Dakar Rally on Saturday

Duo: Major O'Hare (below) and Corporal Gillespie (above)

Pair: The two led Race2Recovery over the finish line in Santiago

The message said: 'Catherine and I have heard the wonderful news about your success today - many, many congratulations.

'We know it was not easy, but you have today become true record holders
as the first ever disability team to complete what is one of the world's
toughest challenges.

'What you have achieved was a triumph of perseverance and teamwork, and
you have shown the world what true valour looks like. We hope you get
some rest now, and, please, no driving like that on our roads when
you're back!'

Congratulations: Prince William and Kate Middleton sent a message to the team

Driver Major Matt O’Hare and co-driver Corporal Phillip Gillespie praised their teammates including the mechanics and support team after the final stage.

32-year-old Major O’Hare said: ‘It’s not quite sinking in that we’ve actually done it. I’m ecstatic and am so proud and pleased for the whole Race2Recovery team. Our mechanics and support team have kept us in the race and their work and dedication was second to none.

'Our other drivers and co-drivers who were forced to retire earlier in the race became an integral part of the support team as we continued the challenge and so this really is a team success.

‘To complete the Dakar Rally is an incredible achievement in itself, but to become the first ever disability team to cross that finish line lifts the achievement to a whole other level.’

Punishing: The Dakar Rally is considered as the hardest race in the world

Northern Irishman leg amputee Corporal Gillespie said: ‘We have found out first-hand why they call the Dakar Rally the hardest race in the world. It has pushed every single one us to our limits and beyond.

‘To be able to stand here at the finish line and say we achieved what we set out to achieve, to become the first ever disability team to complete the Dakar Rally, feels magical.

‘Our team motto is “beyond injury – achieving the extraordinary” and we’ve done just that. I hope that we’ve been able to inspire people who may be facing difficulties through injury or illness.’

The Race2Recovery team aims to continue its charitable fundraising beyond the end of the Dakar Rally. The official book, ‘Race2Recovery: Beyond Injury, Achieving the Extraordinary’,will be published by Haynes and FireStep Publishing in March 2013. £2 from every copy will be donated to Help For Heroes.

Donations to the Race2Recovery fundraising campaign for Tedworth House Personnel Recovery Centre can be made at www.race2recovery.com.